Please OBJECT now – DEADLINE 31ST March
We need to getting as many people as possible to object to this planning proposal for 2,100 homes . We have until 31 March to give a full response. You need to email [email protected] , please copy [email protected], or you can write to Guildford Borough Council, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, GU2 4BB
The proposed development on Three Farms Meadows, the former Wisley airfield is for 2,100 houses, a primary school, public green space and a local community centre. If approved by Guildford Borough Council the development would effectively double the population of East and West Horsley to say nothing of the additional 4,000 or more cars on our overstretched local roads (see the impact on roads in this map: Local road network proposed changes).
You may well have written about this to GBC before, but given this is a new application, unless you have written since January 2015 you must write again now. Any previous objections to the consultations run by GBC are not considered.
You can cut and paste from the list below or use this s MS Word document as a template: Grounds to object2 but if possible please alter the list or make additional comments. You must say I object. Please ask your neighbours and friends to write too. We need hundreds more letters.
Here are some of the points you might want to make.
I write to OBJECT to planning application 15/P/00012 for the following reasons:
Green Belt:
– This is a massive encroachment of the Metropolitan Green Belt
– the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt as defined by the NPPF paras 88 and 89
– the site is clearly visible from the Surrey Hill AONB and it will therefore have a negative impact on views to and from the AONB
– development of this site will result in harm to rural landscape character of the area and the openness of the green belt
– The protection of the green belt is this generation’s responsibility.
Thames Basin Heath SPA/SSSI/SNCI
– The impact of 2,100 houses on the environmentally sensitive TBHSPA cannot be mitigated. Damage will occur to the habitats of the protected and endangered rare species in contravention of the EU Birds Directives and Habitats Regulations
– The siting of the proposed Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space adjacent to the SPA will only increase visitor numbers causing further damage to the protected area
– Para 119 of the NPPF “presumption in favour of sustainable development” does not apply where development requires assessment under the Birds or Habitat Directives and this fact has been totally ignored by the applicant
Impact on the local area
– The additional 5,000 residents is the equivalent of doubling the population of East and West Horsley combined
– The proposed housing density is completely out of keeping with the surrounding rural area – five storey buildings are not appropriate in a rural environment
– The resulting impact on light pollution, traffic and infrastructure has been gravely underestimated and proposed mitigation measures are totally inadequate
– The cumulative impact of development in the borough and in the neighbouring boroughs of Woking, Waverley and Elmbridge has not been taken into account
– There is no provision for secondary school places – the Howard of Effingham is full and the headteacher has noted that even if the Howard is expanded, there will be no places for children of this development
– The air quality surrounding the site gives grave cause for concern as levels of NO2 already exceed the EU limit
– There is insufficient information on the impact on the water table and flooding in the area
– Additional traffic will have a negative impact and cause irreparable damage to historic houses and other buildings in Ockham, Ripley, Downside and further afield.
– The development will impact the listed buildings adjacent to it such as Yarne, Bridge End House and Upton Farm
– The closure of a number of local roads coupled with a massive increase in traffic will impact a large number of road users from Cranleigh to Cobham and everywhere in between
Sustainability
– Any site that is dependent on the use of private motor car cannot be considered sustainable
– The proposed public transport provision is unrealistic given the nature of the roads in question and the level of congestion in the neighbourhood
– The thought that residents will walk or cycle to a rail station on narrow, winding, unlit roads without pavements or cycle lanes is frankly ridiculous
– Parking at the nearest two stations is at capacity
Inaccuracy of the documentation
– There are a number of factual errors in the documentation – for example Natural England has not agreed SANG provision
– There are a number of misrepresentations in the paperwork e.g. nine stations within 5 miles – this is however “as the crow” flies – only Horsley and Effingham Junction are within 5 miles by usable road from the middle of the development
Other
– The housing need in the borough is yet to be determined
– This site is not deliverable within 5 years due to problems with sewerage and water capacity as outlined by Thames Water and the OCK DVOR air traffic control beacon situated onsite which limits development and is still operating
– No very special or exceptional circumstances exist
– Alternative sites exist
– The proposal includes the site safeguarded for waste under the Surrey Waste Plan which Surrey County Council refused to give up in their response to the Draft Local Plan in September
– The site is not listed for development under the existing 2003 Local Plan
– There is not enough land to provide a sustainable community based on GBC’s own parameters
– Surrey Police have concerns on their ability to manage the proposed population density
